Malvern music teacher charged with abusing young students

MALVERN — A piano instructor was arrested Thursday amid accusations that he abused several young students during private lessons at the Malvern Music School.

According to the Chester County District Attorney’s Office, 44-year-old Anton Fomin is accused of separately abusing three 6-year-old children during their piano lessons. Following the arrest, law enforcement officials condemned Fomin’s alleged actions and urged parents to speak with their children to discover if there were any other victims.

“Sexual predators try to put themselves into a position where they have access to children. This defendant was a music teacher, trusted by parents, with unfettered access to vulnerable children. The defendant abused this position of trust to exploit innocent children,” said Chester County District Attorney Tom Hogan.

According to a criminal complaint filed by investigators, the investigation began after a parent of a 6-year-old girl contacted the Malvern Police Department on June 4. The parent’s child was one of Fomin’s piano students, and she told police that he had touched her inappropriately during one-on-one piano lessons at the school

After the initial report was made, two other 6-year-old children came forward and reported similar abuse, according to the complaint. Both victims, a boy and a girl, told police that Fomin exposed himself during private piano lessons and also showed them pictures of nude children and adults on his computer.

Investigators later executed a search warrant on Fomin’s residence in East Pikeland and allegedly found images of nude children and adults, including himself, on his personal computer.

Fomin worked at the Malvern Music School for about four years and also taught private lessons at his home, officials said. His position at the music school was terminated when the allegations arose.

“The actions of this defendant are reprehensible. I am proud that the Malvern Police Department and the county detectives were able to work together to stop him. Child predators like him violate the ultimate trust and we remain steadfast in our efforts to both prevent and capture predators in our community,” said Malvern Police Chief Lou Marcelli.

“The reported conduct of the defendant is classic grooming behavior by a predator, trying to acclimate children to sexual abuse,” Hogan said. “Three brave victims and their parents have come forward to police. It is very important that parents talk with their children to see if there are any more victims. Anyone with information should come forward to the police so that the defendant can be held fully accountable.”

Fomin, who is originally from Russia, was arraigned on charges of attempted aggravated indecent assault, indecent assault, corruption of minors, and related offenses. He was taken to Chester County Prison after failing to post $300,000 cash bail.